In the wake of a car accident and personal injury, you deserve a champion who will fight by your side with compassion and skill. Our team of accessible Seattle car accident attorneys and legal experts will take on the insurance companies and legal system to get you the outcome you deserve.
Find out what your car accident case is worth.
Your insurance company will not you everything. Know what you’re entitled to with a free consultation. Rest assured that we will never charge any fees unless we win.
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Car accidents are one of the most common hazards we all face in daily life. From minor fender-benders to catastrophic, multi-car pileups, getting into an accident in a motor vehicle can end a life or change it forever.
At Shaw Legal Solutions, one of our principal areas of focus is the representation of Seattle residents and visitors who have suffered injuries in car accidents. The Seattle Department of Transportation’s annual traffic report illustrates the constant challenge to our city posed by car accidents.
In 2017, Seattle police reported 10,959 motor vehicle collisions on city streets. According to the report, in 2017 there were a total of 187 fatal and serious injury collisions on Seattle streets. Data available from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reflect an even worse tally in 2018, with 212 crashes that resulted in serious injury or wrongful death.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a Seattle-area car accident, you may have the right to recover compensation from those whose actions caused your loss.
Contact Steven Shaw (Seattle truck accident attorney) at Shaw Legal Solutions today to learn more. (425) 214-4946, Email
What To Do When You Get In A Car Accident
Can You Sue if You Weren’t Injured in a Car Accident?
Dangerous Intersections in Seattle
Seattle’s huge volume of automobile traffic, unfortunately, creates opportunities for car accidents all across the city. However, some areas are more prone to accidents than others.
These are some of the most dangerous intersections for collisions in the city, according to crash statistics reported by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
- James Street and Sixth Avenue – This intersection, near the Harborview Medical Center’s Emergency Department, is a regular spot for crashes, and reports show that more accidents happen at this intersection than any other in the Seattle area.
- Boren Avenue and Pike Street – This intersection is near the Washington State Convention Center, which means there are often unfamiliar drivers and pedestrians passing through. This is a common location for both car and pedestrian collisions alike.
- Lake City Way NE and NE 103th Street – Though this intersection is outside of downtown Seattle, it is still a major thoroughfare in the northeast region of the city, and eight crashes occurred here in a single year. Lake City Way is risky in general, as many intersections along the roadway are common accident sites.
- Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street – This intersection is in the heart of downtown, close to the Space Needle, many hotels, and other tourist attractions. Accidents commonly involve drivers visiting the area, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Aside from the above-mentioned intersections, some additional risky intersections throughout the Seattle area include:
- Rainier Avenue South and South Massachusetts Street
- Rainier Avenue South and South Henderson Street
- 15th Avenue NE and NE Pacific Street
- Corson Avenue South and South Michigan Street
- Fifth Avenue and University Street
- South Dawson Street and East Marginal Way
Other Common Seattle Location for Auto Crashes
Intersections are not the only locations that regularly see traffic crashes. Additional areas of the city that might have increased accident risks are:
- Capitol Hill
- Belltown
- Near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Georgetown
- Ballard
- Near the campuses of the University of Washington Seattle or Seattle University
These areas are known for nightlife, student communities, tourists, and other aspects that can make crash risks higher. Such risks include heavier traffic, impaired drivers, inexperienced drivers, and more.
No matter where your accident happens in Seattle, you have the same rights to compensation if someone else was responsible for causing your injuries.
Steven Shaw represents car accident victims throughout the entire Seattle area, so please do not hesitate to contact our office to discuss your specific situation and injuries.
WHAT COSTS CAN A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM COVER?
If you are trying to determine whether you should hire a personal injury attorney, start by considering what’s at stake. Handled well, a personal injury claim could get you compensation for any of the following::
- The cost of medical treatment of your injuries
- Lost income due to your injuries (e.g. missed shifts)
- Property damage or loss (e.g. your vehicle if you were in a car accident, clothing, etc)
- Pain and suffering (usually for long-term pain attributed to the accident)
- Emotional distress (usually in cases of serious traumatic events that cause psychological damage)
- Justice (when the at-fault party is deemed outrageously careless and you want to make sure what happened to you doesn’t happen to someone else)
The above reasons for filing a personal injury claim does not cover the extent of reasons to file. You should always consult with a personal injury attorney before filing a claim to ensure you choose the best course of action for your case.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
& WHAT TO EXPECT
The first step to overcoming any legal obstacle: arm yourself with knowledge. Learn what to expect from the claims process by reviewing the information I’ve provided here. Then give me a call so we can discuss your case further.
Call A Lawyer Immediately
Personal injury cases always have at least two sides. In order to make sure you compile the right information, you’ll need counsel from an experienced attorney. With my experience, I can help you determine which information is most important.
Compiling the right information at the very beginning is important, but it’s also significant to not give any statement about the accident before consulting an attorney.
So do not waste time contacting me. I can advise you on what to say to whom and what the best strategy is moving forward.
Learn What Your Case Is Worth
Not every personal injury case is going to yield million-dollar settlements, and you should know the value of your case before making any deals with the insurance company. As your attorney, I can help you determine value with my experience and knowledge of personal injury settlements.
Through a network of expert witnesses and claims investigators, I will work with you to discover the extent of damages and the max amount of compensation attainable.
Don’t let yourself believe your case is just a number on the docket. Know what you and your lawyer are fighting for.
Decide Whether To Accept A Settlement Or File A Lawsuit
Compensation, settlement, and justice are not always the same thing. You may receive a settlement for your case that doesn’t cover the medical expenses imposed by the accident. You may receive just compensation but no justice.
If you feel there is a risk someone else will be harmed in the same way you were, and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else, a lawsuit may be the best path.
In the end, your decision should be based on the overall outcome you want in your case. There is no wrong choice.
Renegotiate From A Position of Strength
When an accident has occurred, you are hurt, injured, and vulnerable. Unfortunately, insurance companies and responsible parties sometimes take advantage of this and try to negotiate lesser settlements to avoid large payouts.
With a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can start negotiations strong and without worry that you’ll be taken advantage of or shorted.
Put me on your side. I can help with your recovery by pursuing compensation for your wounds and lost assets.
WHY I GOT INTO PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Before attending law school, I started a career in banking. Because of that background, I thought I’d go into estate law — wills, trusts, and general financial law. But after a personal injury lawyer came to speak in my trial advocacy class, I was hooked. I was enthralled by the way personal injury law is practiced, and I saw it as an opportunity to help people who really need it.
The majority of my practice is dedicated to helping those who have been victims of serious injury and bad insurance company practices. If your insurance provider refuses to cover the extent of the damages, then seeking compensation through a personal injury claim is the logical next step toward getting the coverage you need.
If a traditional claim isn’t enough (meaning the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair payout), then filing a lawsuit against the responsible party might be the only way to cover the costs of returning back to your pre-accident life. You should not be responsible for someone else’s actions. Let me hold them accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
SUFFERED AN INJURY?
HOW TO DEFINE NEGLIGENCE
In order to determine whether you have a case for compensation, negligence has to be established. If your accident does not present a clear negligence party – if it is not blatant the other party is at fault – talk with an attorney and consider the legal definition of negligence in personal injury cases.
The definition of negligence typically varies depending on whether it’s being discussed in a medical or legal context. In personal injury cases, neither definition is more important than the other. What really matters is the fact that proving another party’s negligence is the key to winning a personal injury claim or lawsuit. These examples show the differences between the medical and legal definition of negligence:
Legal definition:
Negligence is the failure to behave with a level of care that someone with common sense or reasonable judgment would do in the circumstances, and not taking action when there is some duty to act (e.g. fixing faulty equipment).
Medical definition:
Negligence of practitioners is defined as the failure to provide the expected patient care. failure to perform procedures to the Medical Board standards, and medical malpractice.
Navigating the multiple definitions of negligence is vital in building a strong case for your claim. Without legal knowledge and experience, it can be difficult to establish negligence, which is why I strive to educate my clients so they can better understand their situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, reach out to me today. With my experienced in personal injury lawsuits, I can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER SERVING SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Have you been hurt in an accident? Are your injuries the result of someone else’s negligence? Are you buried in medical bills and loss recovery costs? Maybe you’re not sure who to sue for negligence? Let me help guide you through the process of getting the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing. Call me today.
I needed Steven Shaw’s services to deal with an insurance company who did not want to cover an auto accident which was of no fault of my own. Through his hard work and dedication, we were able to get them to cover all medical and auto claims.
— Client